Generic Topamax

Many companies claim to sell generic Topamax, but these products are actually fake and potentially dangerous. The medication is still under patent with Ortho-McNeil Neurologics, which means other drug companies cannot produce a generic version of the drug until August 2008 (when its patent expires). Until an approved generic Topamax product becomes available on the market, do not purchase any so-called generic forms of the medicine.

 

Generic Topamax: An Overview

Topamax® (topiramate) is a prescription medicine used for the treatment of epilepsy and for migraine prevention.
 
Topamax is made by Ortho-McNeil Neurologics. It is currently under the protection of a patent that prevents any generic Topamax from being manufactured in the United States. Yet, if you search the Internet for "generic Topamax," you may find a number of companies selling it. The fact is, these medicines are fake, substandard, and potentially dangerous. There may be generic Topamax available from another country, but there is really no way of knowing if you are getting genuine Topamax or not. You should not buy any generic Topamax until there is an approved generic available.
 

When Will Generic Topamax Be Available?

The first patent for Topamax currently expires in August 2008. This is the earliest possible date that a generic version of Topamax could become available. However, there are other circumstances that could come up to extend the exclusivity period of Topamax beyond August 2008. This could include such things as other patents for specific Topamax uses or lawsuits. Once Topamax goes off patent, there may be several companies that will begin manufacturing a generic Topamax drug.
 

Is Topiramate a Generic Topamax?

The answer is no. Topiramate is the active ingredient in Topamax but is not a generic version of the medicine. Oftentimes, the active ingredient of any drug is referred to as the "generic name." The generic name is different from a generic version of a medicine. In order for there to be a generic version of a medicine, the original medicine must have gone off patent, and then another company besides the original manufacturer would make the product.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;